As the scope of the spreading swine flu virus broadened to several more countries Monday -- with nearly 150 suspected deaths in Mexico -- Chicago-area officials struggled to warn area residents about the health scare without stirring widespread panic.

"We're trying to walk the line between reacting and overreacting," said Tom Hernandez, spokesman for Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 in Will County, one of several school districts that spent Monday notifying parents about the potential risks in a region of nearly 600,000 Mexican immigrants with strong links to the country where the virus originated.

Jumping the border, the virus has infected at least 48 people in five U.S. states, none of them fatally. Its spread to Europe prompted officials there to advise against non-essential travel to both Mexico and the U.S.

While there have been no reported cases in Illinois, concerns over the potential arrival of the virus rippled through the Chicago region Monday, particularly in predominantly Mexican neighborhoods with residents who travel regularly to and from Mexico.

Liliana Aguilar said she raced to Alivio Medical Center in fear when her daughter Cynthia, 11, woke up Monday with a fever and a rash covering her face after a weekend of vomiting.

Inside the Southwest Side clinic, a doctor examined Cynthia and questioned Aguilar about recent travel and other risks for exposure before he elected against a $143 swine flu test reserved for more probable cases.

They were likely dealing with a far less harmful flu strain, he told Aguilar.

"He just told me to take her home for some rest," Aguilar said as she escorted her daughter out of the half-full clinic lobby, past nurses and receptionists wearing protective face masks. "I think: The more cautious we are, the better."

As patients arrived at health clinics and hospitals with symptoms of anything from the common cold to whatever other flu strains were still lurking at the tail end of flu season, such judgment calls are necessary, said Dr. Abdul Bhurgri, medical director at Alivio.